The Hero Who Returned From Death Quits

43 – EP4. Crossroads of Life and Death

One day, the crack was instantaneous.

“Mataoju suddenly collapsed.”

It wasn’t a strange event. Mataoju was quite old, after all.

But it was enough to destroy someone’s everyday life, which was not so ordinary.

“…What?”

Feria looked at the person who delivered the news with unbelieving eyes.

When Angel, who was learning magic next to her, looked at him as well, the person who delivered the news lowered his head deeply and said.

“It would be best to go see Mataoju as soon as possible.”

“…I understand.”

Feria closed the book she was holding with a thud and stood up. Angel did the same.

Feria began biting her nails. Angel watched her quietly. He knew that no words could bring her comfort.

Perya began to walk quickly, looking somewhat restless, and Angel followed her.

Walking through an unassuming but clean corridor, Angel gazed at Perya. He had no idea that she was preparing for a parting with someone precious, someone whose time had come.

Finally, Perya and Angel followed their guide into a room.

The room had a musty smell, as if it were filled with old books. And indeed, it appeared to be the case, as the room was stacked with books.

As they passed a cluttered desk with various sheets of paper and ink, they spotted a bed.

An elderly man lay on it.

“Grandpa!”

Perya rushed to the old man.

“What’s going on all of a sudden? Is Grandpa okay?”

Perya sat in a chair beside the bed and assessed the old man’s condition.

The old man made a few coughing sounds, then chuckled and said, “Don’t worry. It’s just that these darn sheets and ink have given me too much trouble. I’ll be fine soon.”

“Go outside and get some sunlight, what’s going on…?”

“Oh, this kid of mine, just sees me as a twisted plant.”

“Really, I…”

“What nonsense are you blabbering about things you’re even more engrossed in studying?”

“Too loud! I’m young, and Grandpa is…”

Perya inadvertently interrupted herself. What was she saying in front of the person lying down?

And with a hearty laugh, Matapju spoke, “Me? If you want to say something, say it properly! That kid, he’s lucky to be young. It’s just a moment, so don’t push your body too hard. Everything will come back eventually when you grow older.”

Perya’s expression loosened a bit upon hearing that from the old man. Nevertheless, seeing him still smiling, she thought there might be a chance for improvement.

Matapju frowned upon seeing her like that.

“You’re annoying. You used to be cute when you were young, and now that you’ve grown up a bit, you don’t listen to what I say. Do you think you can act like this? Anyway, is the young man next to you a hero?”

“Yes, he is. Haven’t you seen him before?”

“I told you. I was busy studying all the time. In any case, he’s quite handsome for a hero, isn’t he? He’s tall and all. Is he your lover?”

“Oh, no! It’s just that I’ve been teaching him magic since the Holy Land, that’s why I’m guiding him!”

“Oh my, is that so? I was hoping you’d at least give me a grandchild to cuddle, but you’ve completely shattered my hopes. Well done!”

“What? Why are you saying that in such a way?”

Perya smiled while saying that. She seemed relieved, seeing him act as usual and making jokes.

“All right, I’ll get up soon. So, knowing that, just get out of here, you ungrateful child.”

Looking at him playfully until the very end, Peria said,

“Well, alright then, hurry up and get better and get up.”

Peria began to leave the room, and Angel followed suit.

“It’s fortunate that your face looks fine… What happened that made you collapse?”

Peria stiffened her face again and started walking hastily in some direction. Angel asked,

“Where are you going?”

“There’s a specialist healer in the Martop. Their healing power may not match that of the priests, but they can better identify what kind of illness it is, and they can also treat diseases that priests cannot. I want to ask them about Grandpa’s condition.”

“Uh… wasn’t that person just the head of Martop?”

“Yes, that’s right. They are also my master.”

“They seemed very familiar.”

“Well, I’m an orphan, you see. They happened to take me in as their apprentice. We’ve been together since childhood, so they are like family to me. No, they are family.”

“I see…”

“But suddenly collapsing like that… were you surprised?”

“No, I’m fine.”

“You always say you’re fine on days like this. Are you an idiot? Can’t you say something different?”

“Then what should I say?”

“…I don’t know, don’t ask, idiot.”

Peria unintentionally said something, and because Angel responded seriously, she had no choice but to say she didn’t know.

“Oh, Peria!”

While they were walking towards where the healer was, they heard a woman’s voice behind them, and they turned their heads.

“May.”

Peria said as she looked at her.

She was a woman with short brown hair. Freckles dotted her cheeks, and she filled her bright cheeks with laughter. Angel thought she seemed very lively inwardly.

“I saw you coming out of Martop’s room earlier. What was it about?”

“Oh, Grandpa collapsed. Thankfully, his complexion looked fine, so just in case, we’re going to see the healer.”

“Oh, the master? They didn’t say anything to me… “

“They probably just told me.”

“…I see, I guess that’s what happened.”

May paused for a moment and spoke.

“Oh, by the way! Who is that person next to you? Could they be a warrior?”

“Uh, yeah. This guy is a warrior.”

“Hello.”

Ainzel greeted lightly.

“Oh yeah. You’re really handsome. I’m busy, so I’ll be going now!”

“Alright.”

Feria waved her hand casually and turned around.

“Are you friends?”

“What friends? He’s the guy who learned magic with me. He always pushes me and makes me feel inferior. Don’t get close to him.”

“Oh… okay.”

Feria quickened her pace, unable to stand the sight, and Ainzel barely followed behind.

And finally, they arrived at the place where the healers were. As various herbal scents filled the air, Ainzel wrinkled his face slightly. His sense of smell was sensitive.

From Noble mtl dot com

Feria immediately found the highest-ranking healer among them, and the head healer spoke upon seeing her.

“Oh, you’re the future master of the magical tower.”

“Yeah, I came because I want to know the condition of my mentor. Is it possible?”

“Yes. Actually… the master is in a very serious condition.”

“What?”

“Various complications due to organ aging caused by overuse of magic. Among them, the condition of the heart is particularly severe.”

“The heart?”

“Yes. As you know, magic is stored in the heart and released through it. It can be dangerous to use a lot of magic at your age, let alone at your current age.”

“My mentor… collapsed while conducting magical research…”

“Yes. It is probably because he forced himself to use magic even though he is in his old age. So, it is absolutely not recommended to use magic in this state. Of course, conducting research under such strain is equally detrimental. Because of the organ aging, his physical strength has deteriorated significantly…”

“Then, can he recover soon?”

“Well, if he doesn’t use magic, he may be able to live for a few more years. However, I would like to emphasize that even a little use of magic can have a serious impact. If he had used magic in moderation, it would be a different story, but the master has accumulated a prolonged strain on his body, leading to this condition.”

“Oh no…”

Feria clasped her head.

“I understand. I will talk to my mentor.”

Ainzel observed Feria’s expression. It seemed that she was concerned about the person who had taken care of her since she was young.

She bit her lip and walked towards the healers’ room.

“This mentor of mine, he deceived me…”

Feria loosened her tightly held hair and spoke.

“Sorry. I don’t think I can teach you anymore today. Come back tomorrow. I have something to talk about.”

Angel nodded as if understanding.

“Okay. I hope you get well soon.”

“…Thank you.”

After seeing Angel off as she left the dojo, Peria started heading back to the master’s room.

“Grandpa! What happened? Are you okay?”

“…Did the healer say that? That cheap-mouthed bastard.”

“He said that using magic will shorten your lifespan. I don’t know what kind of research you’ve been doing to go through so much trouble… but please, stop the research now.”

“No, this brat. Do you even know what I’m researching?”

“What does that matter? What’s important is your health, Grandpa.”

“You’re wrong. My health is not important. I’m working on a magic that could possibly save the souls of many people. That’s what I’m creating. It’s almost complete.”

“Then! Then… at least don’t use your magic… I’m worried.”

“…Fine, brat. I’ll take care of my own body, so don’t worry.”

Peria glanced suspiciously at the master’s room and then let out a quiet snort before leaving.

And a few days later, news spread that Master Ka Ven Siodor was in critical condition.